Whatchoo talkin about, DU? Patriot Act = HUGE win for Dems!

Stunned that the LBN thread on the topic is full of negative impressions of the Democrats for agreeing to a 6-month extension. Haven't you all been following the debate on the subject? The Democrats' consistent argument on the floor has been, "Extend the damn thing so we can discuss it and pass a permanent bill that protects civil liberties."

Republicans said "No, all or nothing, and by the way, you're being obstructionist."

So Democrats get what they want and make Republicans look like they were forced into a deal (which they were). Sure it's six instead of three months, but that a) gives us even more time to work it out, and believe it or not this thing does involve real work not just political posturing; and b) makes us look like the party that's willing to compromise, where the Republicans look like the party that said "Yeahokfineyouwin pooh."

Compare quotes from AP story. Look at how they characterise the Republicans!







Dems look reasonable. Rs look impotent at best, obstructionist at worst. Hurray.

This is a deferment, a temporary victory.

and to permanently stop the PA from stealing our liberties.

they have got their work cut out for them.

When many, many more people are paying attention to the politics. Oh yeah, it's a HUGE DEM win, folks.

6 months also gives the domestic spying story to play out big.

Go Harry Reid!!!!!!!!!!!

"I will not let it die!" I hope his prognosis is just as accurate.

as he talked about the extension and why parts of the act needs changed.

that oppose the suppression of constitutional liberties. They counter the dems that support the patriot act.

We don't nee4d any part of it. Shred the bill into a thousand pieces. We don't need one more day.

Shaking your fist at the sky makes for good posturing and bad governing. This was a win that builds strength for the big win.

That said, I think we need folks like you around to push the Party into a more radical position. Seriously. We wouldn't have had the initial filibuster without you. So keep it up, but just don't misrecognize actual partial victories for total defeats merely because they weren't total victories. That's childish.